Monthly Archives: March 2008

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We can moderate greed. Can’t we moderate sex? It seems difficult. As many as those who can’t moderate sexual cravings are the commercial sex workers (CSW) who offer services preferred by customers. Many of them don’t mind the value of safe sex.

This may not be a national trend but the Mandaue City Health Office noted the rise of sexually transmitted infection (STI) cases. From 553 cases counseled and treated by Mandaue City Health Office in 2006, it ballooned to 867 cases in 2007. This is attributed to a number of unregistered or freelance commercial sex workers who practice their trade without or with little knowledge of safe sex. [Source: Sun Star Cebu]

Members of a group called “Erap for 2010 President Movement” headed by certain Vince Avena reportedly pooled their money to print “ERAP 2010” stickers. The stickers are for nationwide distribution aimed to convince the Filipino people to support Erap’s presidential bid in the 2010 elections.

In Philippine Star report, Vince Avena said, “[t]o bring him (Estrada) back is to correct the wrong that we have suffered at the hands of anti-poor people. I am just an ordinary citizen who wants to help the Filipino people” The same report quoted Avena saying, “[a] true leader must have a true love for the masses, love for the people. We produced quite a number of ERAP 2010 stickers to campaign for his return to power. The ERAP for 2010 president movement is initiated by a group of friends who believe that Erap is the man we need to lift our country from poverty.”

I always prefer Jun Lozada to remain as credible witness than becoming a famous star. I think he has some pieces of valuable information that help us know the “truth” behind the controversial aborted NBN-ZTE deal. But these “pieces of information” spoiled the crying witness.

Teary-eyed, he revealed the “truth” he supposedly knew. Since then, he keeps his mouth open and sustains his big grin whenever people hailed him as “hero” – a messiah to some.

Rice is the most important staple crop in the Philippines, providing food for more than 80 million people. Rice has been part of Filipino diet and life that I cannot imagine the Philippines without it.

With the looming rice crisis due to tightening supplies and soaring prices, we have reasons to be alarmed. A United Nations aid official already warned that more Filipinos will go hungry as rice prices soar.

For a journalist, it is always risky to write news out of unverified information. Except for sensational reporter, a responsible journalist adheres the basic principles of journalism – truthfulness, accuracy, objectivity, impartiality, fairness, and public accountability.

Half-baked stories are sure hit – increase readership, ratings; more revenue. But there are risks.